Half an hour later both boys were in their berths and sleeping soundly. How long they remained in this state neither could tell exactly.
Suddenly Oliver awoke with a start. He jumped out on the floor wondering what had aroused him. Gus, too, was wide awake.
“Somebody hammered on the door,” cried the stout youth. “Maybe—”
He did not finish, for at that instant a wild cry came from the deck overhead.
“Fire! Fire! Fire!”
Both stared at each other with blanched faces.
CHAPTER XVIII.
OLIVER’S HEROISM.
It would be useless to deny the fact that Oliver and Gus were thoroughly startled when they heard the cry of fire that came from the deck of the Polly Eliza.
They could easily realize the danger of their situation. Out of sight of land, and in the darkness of night, which way should they turn? What could they do?